Sir Ketumile Masire hospital radiology opens
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday September 12, 2022 06:00
During the official opening of the facility recently, Health Minister Edwin Dikoloti said it is a great milestone worth celebrating and marks the beginning of the opening of Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital to the people of Botswana and the world.
“It will afford our people an opportunity to have access to improved imaging services offered in a well-resourced state-of-the-art facility, one of the best in the world. This technology will be availed to both the private and public health care sectors as well as for teaching and research purposes.
The specific medical imaging services that will be offered in the Radiology Department that we are opening include General Radiography, Ultrasound, CT Scan, Fluoroscopy, Angiography, Interventional Radiology and others.
The imaging techniques will give SKMTH the capacity to provide advanced imaging previously available only in large private hospitals outside the country,” he revealed.
Dikoloti further stated that with imaging such as the 3 Tesla MRI, Advanced CT, Ultrasound, and Fluoroscopy machines as well as high-speed connectivity complementing IT services, the hospital will offer reliable and timeous imaging services to optimise patient management. He also pointed out that SKMTH’s vision is to be the industry standard of excellence in the provision of health care services, research and teaching to improve healthcare outcomes, which tallies well with the government’s Reset Agenda.
In addition, the minister said the opening of this radiology facility offers the hospital an opportunity to showcase what it can offer to Batswana and the world. He said the current health care system cannot be conceptualised or planned with an obsolete mindset.
He emphasised that disease trends have changed and so must the health care system. Dikoloti continued: “The ageing population, emerging health threats, increased community expectation and economic reforms for sustainable investment (value for money) in the quality health system, call for a different approach to doing business. I am confident that the resources, both human and machinery/equipment, here at SKMTH are current and have the capacity to provide excellent and sustainable patient-centred care through partnerships and networks.” He also indicated that the hospital should endeavour to build patient and family trust through the provision of compassionate and comprehensive patient care.
Still, on the matter, the minister said it is their duty as the Ministry of Health to ensure that none of the people of Botswana is denied access to quality health care. He said at a quaternary level, SKMTH will provide highly specialised health care to all in need of these services through referrals. The minister stressed that services will be paid for by the different funders, medical aids and the government of Botswana through his ministry.
However, the minister encouraged Sir Ketumile Teaching Hospital to be fully aligned with President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s Reset Agenda by adopting the priorities set therein.
“I expect the hospital to adopt high-level digitalisation techniques in order to enhance its efficiency and accessibility. I also expect the hospital to be the employer of choice and serve our people well with the best customer service ever, he said.